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"Thank you for introducing us to baby sign language. Orea is signing more everyday. It has been so much fun! Her most consistent signs have been dog, bird, monkey, eat, milk, bath, book and she even makes up her own signs. At bedtime she signs 'book'. And my final bragging point, she has been adding signs together for sentences like 'more' + 'milk' and 'more' + 'book'!"

Patricia and 15 month old Orea - Santa Cruz

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"We love the class. It is a lot of fun and is making learning how to sign so much easier than looking it up in a book or online. After the first class, my husband and I were amazed at how many words we learned in just one hour. We have started showing our sitter some of the signs so she too can use them. Well worth the money and a great time for the family."

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Leila signs "Thank you!"

Jump-start your child's verbal skills!

Touch Blue Sky

Lorelei signs "Eat"

Baby Sign Language

Baby Sign Language gives babies the opportunity to communicate long before they can verbalize their wants and needs. Research shows that signing with babies accelerates language acquisition, reduces frustration and aggressive behavior, and as children mature, results in a greater interest in reading.

Bond with your baby through communication.

Register today for the Introductory Workshop and, when you are ready to grow your vocabulary and skills, then scroll down a bit further and click the GREEN link to register for a Six-day Playgroup Series. It is recommended that parents enroll in the Introductory Workshop prior to taking a Playgroup Series.

Step 1: Introductory Workshops (90 minutes)

Learn more than 40 basic signs that are based on American Sign Language (ASL). Discover the important benefits of signing and all the techniques of teaching your pre-verbal baby to sign. Fun activities and songs will show you how easy it is to integrate simple signs into your everyday routine. Birth to 18 months.

Seating is limited. Choose a date by clicking the Introductory Workshop RED link and then scroll down to register for the upcoming Six-day Playgroup Series by clicking the GREEN link before those seats are sold out too!

Early Bird Prices end at midnight on the Monday prior to the class.

Early Bird Price $40 per individual / $70 per coupleAfter the Sunday prior to the class the prices will be $50 per individual / $80 per couple

Friday, Oct. 5 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Scroll down further for the green Six-Day Playgroup series registration link.

Step 2: Playgroup Series (Six 60 minute playgroups)

Our playgroups are a fun way to build your signing vocabulary and skills. Twelve themes are split into two separate six-day series, Playgroup Boom and Playgroup Zoom. Choose either Boom or Zoom. There is no special order. Take whichever one fits into your schedule.Birth to 18 months.

We recommend that you enroll in an Introductory Workshop prior to progressing to a Playgroup Series unless you are already familiar with American Sign Language.

Playgroup Boom Playgroup Zoom

• Basic Mealtime plus Boom Food • Basic Mealtime plus Zoom Food

• Colors and Clothing • Colors and Things that Go Zoom

• Animals on the Farm and Pets • Animals in the Zoo and Ocean

• Bath Time Signs • Bedtime Signs

• Let's Go Outside • Playtime Signs

• Family Signs and Final Review • Feeling Signs and Final Review

Early Bird Prices end at midnight on the Monday prior to the first class!Early Bird Price is $120 per individual / $180 per couple After the Sunday prior to the class prices will be $130 per individual / $190 per couple

SECOND PLAYGROUP DISCOUNTIf you have completed your first six-day playgroup series and this is your second six-day seriesthe Early Bird Price is only $99 per individual / $159 per coupleAfter the Sumday prior to the first class prices will be $120 per individual / $180 per couple

------------------ 2012 Playgroup Series Schedule ------------------

Fridays, Oct. 12 to Nov. 16 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Playgroup Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I can't make it to every playgroup?

A: Not everyone may be able to make it to all the classes. With vacations and unexpected illnesses it's rare that everyone attends every playgroup. For this reason we have formatted each hour long lesson plan to spend thirty minutes reviewing all the vocabulary that we learned the previous week. Touch Blue Sky does not offer make up classes.

Q: Does Signing slow my baby's verbal skills?

A: Just the opposite is true. Studies show that sign language utilizes more diversified areas of the brain for communication, thus babies actually develop language skills earlier than their piers and have a larger vocabulary. Signing empowers babies because they can communicate successfully with those around them which greatly contributes to everyone's happiness.

Q: When should I start signing with my baby?

A: Six to eight months of age is considered an optimal time to start signing with your baby, since before they're six months old, babies have very little long-term memory to retain the signs they see. Younger babies also lack the motor skills and hand-eye coordination required to make very precise gestures, so parents may miss their baby's early signing attempts, perrceiving them as random gestures. If you start signing to them when they are between six and seven months of age, for example, you can reasonably expect them to sign back when they're between eight and ten months old.

Q: Do I need to bring my baby?

A: Babies are welcome but not required. If your baby is napping or cranky, it is perfectly fine to attend without your baby because we are teaching you, the parents, baby sign language. If you have an active and mobile toddler it may be less distractive and you will be able to focus better if you come solo.